[A case of aortic valve rupture due to blunt chest trauma]

A case of aortic valve rupture due to blunt chest trauma is presented. 19-year-old man was in good health until he sustained traumatic injury in a traffic accident. He was admitted to a hospital elsewhere because of blunt chest trauma and fractures of the bilateral lower extremities. A heart murmur was detected and echocardiogram revealed marked aortic regurgitation. Then he was referred to our hospital. Progressive congestive heart failure developed. He underwent aortic valve replacement with 25 mm SJM prosthesis 9 days after the injury. The noncoronary cusp was found to be ruptured parallel to and 2 mm from its attachment. His postoperative course was uneventful and he is doing well 4 years and 6 months after operation.